The EVG announced a few days ago that it would not call for walkouts next weekend.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin After the impending warning strike on the railways, the signs are now back to negotiations. The representatives of Deutsche Bahn and the railway and transport union EVG want to meet in a small group in the coming days and explore possible solutions to the collective bargaining conflict. Both sides did not want to give the exact time and meeting point on Friday. There will be no warning strikes before the planned meeting.
The EVG announced a few days ago that it would not call for walkouts next weekend. Saturday marks the 25th anniversary of the Eschede ICE accident – and the union does not want to deny members and rail employees the opportunity to travel to the commemoration.
In the past few days, it seemed as if the bargaining parties had completely got stuck in their negotiations. A warning strike call from the union was actually expected for Thursday or Friday – but instead they invited the railway representatives to an interview. “We certainly see opportunities to find a basis for constructive negotiations. We want to talk about this calmly,” said an EVG statement.
Deutsche Bahn accepted the offer for a meeting between the top negotiators on Thursday evening. “We hope that this conversation will show EVG possible compromises that will finally lead to a collective bargaining agreement,” said a spokeswoman.
The trade union negotiates wages and salaries for a total of around 230,000 employees with Deutsche Bahn and 50 other companies in the industry. The focus is on the negotiations with Deutsche Bahn, where around 180,000 of these employees work.
That’s what the union demands
The union demands a fixed amount of at least 650 euros per month or twelve percent for the upper wage brackets. According to their ideas, the term should be one year. During the negotiations at the end of May, the railways had gradually promised twelve percent for the lower wage groups.
EVG criticizes Deutsche Bahn’s negotiation strategy: “Friss or strike”
The middle groups should get a total of ten percent more and the upper groups eight percent. The first stage of the increase is expected to come later this year. In addition, there would also be a gradual inflation compensation premium totaling 2,850 euros, which could be paid tax- and duty-free from July. The term should be two years.
The EVG rejected this employer offer. As a result, Bahn HR Director Martin Seiler initially rejected further negotiations. The key sticking points are currently the term of the collective agreement and the question of whether wages and salaries will be increased as a percentage or as a fixed amount.
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